Avoidant Personality Disorder

Abstract:
The diagnosis Avoidant Personality Disorder is used for people with a basic fear of beeing judged, shyness and constant social discomfort (embarassed, avoiding social situations), unwillingness to commit themselves to a relation.

The Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterised by a basic fear of beeing
judged, shyness and constant social discomfort (rubescence, being embarassed,
avoiding social situations). People with this disorder do not commit themself
to a relationship, if they are not sure to be accepted. They could even
decline a promotion, if the new job involves more interpersonal interaction.
When they are together with others, they are always afraid to say something
stupid or inappropriate or not beeing able to answer a question.

It is important to note, that Avoidant Personality Disorder is not the same
as Social Phobia (more) even though
a lot of Diagnostic Criteria overlap. Social Phobia referes to a small set
of feared situations, while Avoidant Personality Disorder is
extended to all kinds of social situations. The development of the Avoidant
Personality Disorder begins in childhood, Social phobias develop mostly
because of
traumatic events in the late adolescence or in adulthood.

Like for all Personality Disorder, people with Avoidant Personality Disorder
see their behaviour, feelings etc. as belonging to themself. They
identify themself with the symptoms. For them the (inappropriate)
behaviour seems completely normal and appropriate. The feeling for malfunctioning
or suffering is mostly diffuse and vague. (This is as well why therapy is difficult.
More) People with Social
Phobia on the other hand experiences symptoms as not belonging to themself.
The
symtoms are disturbing and therefore the person suffers.

Diagnostic
Criteria of DSM-IV: Avoidant Personality Disorder

The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition,
More) describes
Avoidant Personality Disorder as a pervasive pattern of social inhibition,
feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning
by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four
(or more) of the following:

avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact,
because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection;

is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked;

shows restraint within intimate relationships because of fear of being shamed
or ridiculed;

is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations;

is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy;

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